November 13, 2003
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Last Friday while I was driving to work, I heard one of the local radio personalities say that it is only seven more weeks until the days start to get longer again. To me, that was a very nice thought. I do not mind winter. In fact, I rather enjoy it. Fresh snow is one of the most beautiful sights you can see. Cold does not particularly bother me. However, as I age, I find that the long hours of darkness during the winter months are difficult, depressing even. Thinking about short winter days reminds me of a time when I experienced even shorter ones.
A few years ago, we had the pleasure of being in Edinburgh for part of the New Year’s celebration. If you have never been there, you have missed a very beautiful city with lots of interesting things to see and do, and New Year’s is one of the things they do best. The festivities go on for days. One of the nights we were there, they had a torch light parade lead by pipers in full kilt which wound down the hill from the castle, through the heart of the city, and up another hill to a magnificent view and a roaring bonfire. There they burned a Viking ship in effigy. That part was a little disconcerting to us Minnesota folk.
One of the unique aspects of this parade was that it was not a stand there and watch parade. As it came by, the people along the route jumped in and became part of it. As we joined their ranks, someone handed my son a torch, and we happily proceded along with the crowd. It’s one of my nicest memories of my visit there.
Another great memory is our visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard where Greyfriars Bobby and his master, Old Jock are buried. I have always loved Bobby’s story and it was exciting for me to see the area where he lived. I even bought a small pewter image of Bobby which now sits on my mantle along with a replica of Edinburgh Castle.
What I did not like about Edinburgh in the winter was the number of hours of darkness. It is farther north than Minnesota, and it seemed to me that it was not fully light until after 9:00 and it began getting dark between 3:00 and 4:00. I can remember my son calling home from London while he was there and saying, “Mom, I can’t stand it here. It is always dark!” At the time, I thought he was just homesick, but after being in England and Scotland over the Christmas holidays, I have to agree that there is very little daylight in the winter. I would have a hard time with that, too.
I dream of returning to England and Scotland someday, but in the summer, when I imagine that the days are long. Meantime, I will hold dear the thought that in just seven weeks, I can look forward to lengthening days and until then, I still have more hours of daylight to enjoy than the Brits and the Scots!
Comments (21)
Ok, I just reread this and realized that you said 7 weeks and not 7 days. I was a little confused there for a minute. I enjoyed reading about your experiences in Scotland. It sounds wonderful. I, too, would hate that much darkness. I usually welcome the early nights at this time of the year, but not that early!
I just commented on your abortion blog below. Just wanted to let you know because I am late. Busy week!
As soon as we turn back the clocks, for me we enter “the dark time”. I’m with you, I don’t like it. The only thing that makes it tolerable is that people in Portland have taken to putting up their Christmas lights early and leaving them up way past New Year’s and so the night is lit with colorful lights. However, in summer we have the full luxury of about 16 hours of daylight, which I adore. I’d love to visit England and Scotland. Its definitely on my life list of places to visit.
I’ve never been to Scotland myself but from what you said, it sounds wonderful. Aside from the darkness of course… but sounds wonderful!
Take care and have a lovely week!
I do have to say that I wouldn’t mind having the days a bit longer again
Winter days make us feel sleepy and blue. That is why we love the sunny days here. We make note of December 21 and begin noticing the days because we know spring is on the way.
I give poetry readings at Edinburgh in the Festival. as “Wee Duncan D” armed with a Douglas tartan all-over blanket and with tammy with plastic thistle sewn onto it (thanks to another Nancy btw!) I recite. I fool none of the Scots, but they all come to boo and jeer me!
My poem today I wrote in French, my changing personalities precede the internet.
And there was a poem about the Greyfriars Bobby on my Wee Duncan Douglas site.
Winter in Edinburgh is VERY depressing, the sun isn’t even seen for weeks on end!
I would love to visit England even if the days had a lot of dark.
Hey how do you index your blog? I didn’t know that capability was there.
I’m in England (though I’m not a “Brit” hehe) and I hate winter here because of the darkness. I long for the summer days when the sun does not set until after 10 PM. I don’t mind the cold or even the rain we get during Winter, I hate the darkness. I don’t like feeling like I should be in bed when it is only 7 PM! So, today I shall begin my own “7 Weeks to Light” countdown. It will give me something other than the holidays to look forward to.
I’d love to get to Edinburgh for New Year’s, but I don’t think we can afford it this year. This is our last year here though, so maybe we’ll suck it up and go!
Haven’t made it to Scotland yet. It’s on my list of wannagos. (Oh, thx for the links on left side. I commented on one of the poems.)
You make me lonesome for Scotland!! I realized a life-long dream two years ago when we took a cruise around the Outer Hebrides. We were picked up in Glasgow and taken to Oban and thus to our ship. On board we had dress up evenings and two men always appeared kilted up. One of them with wife and mother were at a neighboring table at meals and while talking to them, the wife said she fell in love with him for he was wearing the kilt when she met him!! I would someday like to return and the festival you describe makes me want to see Edinburgh! Thanks for the blog!! {{hugs}}
I mind winter … over here in nyc it gets dark by 5pm … there awre times that by 430 there is no light. i like long sunnyt days. Oh, how i wish i was in florida
I never liked the short winter days. Somehow it made me depressed.
do I relate or what…and it seems to get darker as I get older….I need to winter in summer down under…hello Sidney….
g’day and regards
Inlow
The parade lead by pipers in kilt that wound down the hill from the castle should be very impressing . And you joined the crowd behing them with the torchs . I understand Nancy you had great memories of Scotland . I dream too of Scotland . Brithish people have a high sense of the traditions .
About the fall and winter , I feel sad about them : short days , cold , wet ….illness . I prefer the beautiful days of Spring and summer until the 15th of August .
Love
Michel
Hmmm…are you trying to say that the Brits and Scotts are almost always in the dark?
I’ll have to fill Karen in to the time I was in Edinburgh all those years ago. It’s a beautiful city, and I had an absolutely wonderful time there. Edinburgh Castle is fantastic and looks right out on the city. Spent a lot of time on Princess Street as well.
We Brits get used to short days, and it seems kind of “cosy” to draw the curtains and turn on the lights. As you say, spring is just a short while away. all the best, Tom
I’m with you on the long day thing. I find that I get tired early in the evening and can hardly make it through the news.
Lol Nance..as we get older caught my eye…hey!…lets look at this as a Full cup of water instead of a half cup…If we lived in Alaska we would see no sunshine for 8 months…*Ugh*…great blog *hugs*
Yeah – I am amazed by the difference in length of day at times too when I visit various places. I am hoping to get back to England relatively soon – it is on my list as a graduation trip next year some time. I really want to go back to Scotland too or maybe hit Ireland for the first time, but I won’t think about it till I graduate. Only 32 more days to go. I can do that right? I can make it – right?
I hope things are going well for you. Take care!